Olen Zellweger put up 11 factors in seven video games ultimately summer season’s world juniors. He is been invited again to Group Canada’s camp.
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports activities
Let the net debates start.
Hockey Canada has launched its 29-player camp roster for the Canadian U-20 squad with returning gamers resembling Connor Bedard, Olen Zellweger and Brennan Othmann highlighting the checklist. General, the Canadians have 10 returning gamers on their camp roster, all of which can possible safe a task with the crew all through camp.
Canada shall be seeking to defend their gold medal from final summer season’s occasion on the again of these returnees in addition to some high-profile newcomers to the squad.
There have been additionally a variety of names that very simply might have been on the camp in an effort to throw their hat within the ring for a roster spot, however as at all times with a deep Canadian subject, good gamers have been left at house.
Let’s take a look at the crew’s X-factor in addition to the snubs and surprises on the Canadian camp roster.
The X-Issue
The draft-eligible duo of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli are going to offer the Canadians with a one-two punch up entrance. The Canadians not often lack offensive firepower and this yr is not any totally different, however having two gamers with such elite but very totally different ability units might make the crew really particular.
Bedard and Fantilli might present a thunder-and-lightning aspect to the Canadians’ recreation. The benefit could possibly be large for Group Canada as they run Bedard out to push opponents again on their heels on one shift along with his velocity and ability after which throw Fantilli over the boards to play a power-oriented recreation that blends ability and power not like many different gamers on the U-20 stage.
Regardless of being two of the youngest gamers on the crew, but to be drafted, and nonetheless very a lot creating as gamers in their very own proper, the Bedard-Fantilli duo could possibly be Canada’s largest benefit.
The Snubs
Matthew Savoie not being named to this camp roster looks like a typo, however he has certainly been left off the roster. The ninth total decide within the 2022 NHL draft has had a little bit of a sluggish begin, however he stays one of the crucial deadly offensive gamers on this age group. Savoie makes use of his velocity and quickness together with high-level palms to evade stress and get himself into house. He’s a extremely touted playmaker who definitely might have been at this camp with an opportunity to earn his spot.
Corson Ceulemans and Denton Mateychuk are two defenders that very properly might have been invited to camp, particularly contemplating the truth that Canada’s again finish is noticeably missing high-end puck-moving means past Olen Zellweger. They received gold final yr with a protection group that wasn’t extremely expert, and so they appear to be seeking to replicate that once more this yr.
Conor Geekie, Cedrick Guindon, David Goyette, Andrew Cristall and Zach Benson amongst others all might have simply warranted spots on this roster as properly. Canada’s surplus of expertise leaves a big group of extremely gifted gamers off the roster.
The Surprises
With gamers like Savoie, Ceulemans, Goyette, et al left off the roster, the Canadian crew was clearly seeking to discover gamers which will find yourself filling very particular roles on the roster.
Colton Dach is an attention-grabbing title to carry to camp, because the Kelowna Rockets captain is a bottom-six possibility for the crew who can chip in offensively at occasions if put able to experience shotgun with a talented playmaker. He performs with power and zest, however he’s possible restricted to a bottom-six function on this squad.
Ryan Greene is a little bit of a shock up entrance as properly. After failing to succeed in a point-per-game stage within the USHL earlier than this season, the extremely expert 6-foot-1 ahead has 14 factors in 14 video games with Boston College this yr. He isn’t probably the most fleet of foot, and his offensive means is based on whether or not his puck ability can beat defenders to open up house for himself, however he could possibly be a sneaky good add within the Canadian backside six.
As famous, Canada has chosen to angle their defensive group in the direction of being huge and stout in their very own finish, and Ethan Samson is the proper instance of that. The 6-foot-1 Samson performs with a bodily edge and good defensive tendencies.
Tyson Hinds is one other shock on the blueline, albeit one with an underrated means to maneuver the puck and contribute offensively. Hinds is assured with the puck and reveals some nifty evasion alongside the blueline. He’s scoring at price within the QMJHL however doesn’t fairly have the upper-echelon ability that it will require to play on Canada’s power-play models.
Potentialities from the NHL
Defenseman Brandt Clarke and middle Shane Wright have been two names that have been anticipated to be named as properly, however they’re at the moment with their NHL golf equipment and could possibly be loaned at a later date.
If one or each of those gamers are loaned to the crew, the Canadian squad would very simply be the favourite on the event. Wright might tackle a task because the No. 1 middle and alleviate among the stress from Bedard, who might play on Wright’s wing.
Clarke’s addition would create a one-two punch of offensive firepower from the again finish with Zellweger that wouldn’t be matched by any nation. Clarke was notably left off the crew final yr as properly regardless of an absence of right-shot defenders, an issue that appears to be prevalent on this yr’s roster as properly.
Wyatt Johnston, Dylan Guenther and Mason McTavish are all technically eligible as properly, however they are much much less prone to be loaned to the Canadian U-20 squad as they’ve been enjoying pivotal roles within the NHL this season.
